Hands-on with the Elektrobit Satellite/Terrestrial WinMo 6.5 Beast

The folks at PhoneScoop turned us on to a hidden little gem – a new Windows Mobile Satellite Phone that doesn't have a bulky external antenna. So, we made it a point to visit the TerreStar's booth here at CTIA and get our hands on a hybrid Satellite/3G Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional phone.

It's a prototype made up by Elektrobit, designed to use an upcoming satellite service by TerreStar. TerreStar plans on putting its satellite into geosynchronous orbit over North America in two to three months, providing satellite voice and data coverage for the U.S. and Canada. Follow the break for all the details and some pictures of this unique Windows Mobile phone.

The device itself is a front-facing QWERTY running WM 6.5 Pro, with a 240x320 touchscreen, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, 3MP camera, 100MP of user memory, and a 1400mAh battery. It will run on AT&T's 3G network (though no official carrier pickup has been announced) and, according to TerreStar, can quickly switch between satellite and 3G mode. It's on the largish side, measuring 4.7" x 2.5" x .8". But considering that this is an honest-to-goodness satellite phone, it's hard to call it "too thick" with a straight face.

In other words, it looks like it will provide some powerful functionality and connectivity when it (we're hoping it's not "if") launches.